Cultivating Self –learning and Self – reading habits in Children

Recall back and see what kind of memories have imprinted our lives…..Is it the material stuff, places, adventures or people?

Childhood is admired as the most wonderful time which everyone goes through once in lifetime. Do you remember those childhood games– building blocks, hide and seek, cycling, skipping,  skating, slide, merry-go-round, passing the ball, paper boats, bubble game, singing, dancing, etc.

We truly realize it’s worth as we grow up. Often, we might think ‘I wish I could go back to my childhood days! We often miss those days of fun during childhood….. so much adventure, excitement and mesmerizing facts hidden in nature that we just couldn’t wait to explore in everything that we encountered and places that we visited. Some of the childhood memories we do remember and some may be faintly remembered. The memories of childhood are reminded to us through beautiful moments captured in the form of photographs, albums, videos, stories narrated by our family members and so on.

In younger days most of the decisions are probably taken by parents until we reach a certain stage to decide things on our own and stand on one’s own feet. This sense of responsibility doesn’t occur overnight, it’s the outcome of the lessons learnt over the different stages of life.

Thus, Self-learning entitles kids who are independent learners and who don’t need constant monitoring other than the times trapped in a problem. They have the ability to take in as much as given to them. Parents need to be aware and monitor their intake. It is the Curiosity in them that motivates them to experiment new things. Parents must ignite the spark in kids and try to polish their skills. The key requirement for a child is a motivating environment consisting of unbound things to learn and play. It must also provide opportunities to put into action the things learnt. Such an environment alone can sustain a dynamic learning.

Naturally, a child learns from things existing in surroundings such as sounds, voices,  observation, listening, responding, exploring, asking ‘wh’ questions- reasoning, experimenting through senses, indicating images or signs, color recognition, breaking things, selecting, liking and disliking, learning to express in words, actions or expressions like crying, imitation, seeking attention, appreciation, love and support.

Gradually, they grow up to understand self-worth, relationships, language, communication skills, including significance of place, community, religion, health, food, clothing, mannerism, hobbies, writing, reading and other creative elements.

Essential factors to care/consider to develop self-learning in kids:

1.  Practice Patience: Be patient with kids while dealing with them, they need to be gently handled even if they are aggressive showing tantrums. Learn tactics to patiently pacify them in a way your child takes it. For this reason, understanding your child totally/completely is important.
2.  Stoop to kids level: Coming to the level of kids and communicating in the way they understand is necessary as they listen better when they are better understood.
3. Listen to kids call: When the child asks – Why is the rose red? Do not ignore rather give an answer to satisfy the child and that makes a difference in the child. The child feels loved and cared .
4. Teach the fun way: Children like to play so using games or something that brings fun excites a child and also will learn good habits.
5.  Encouragement by rewarding: For instance, for every good deed or task learnt a child can be motivated by rewarding something like chocolate, stationary or a coin to drop in a piggy bank.

Simple basic things like riding places, caring for things, selecting clothes, discipline, sharing, respecting, listening to elders, following rules, being honest, are better learnt at an early age.

Self- readingis one of the many other aspects of self-learning in early life. This is a skill developed, 50% from self-interest and the rest 50% from motivating factors. Boosting a child’s interests is necessary. Generally a child learns to read at the age of 5 when they are taught to relate and use letters, words and sentences.  Some kids are even gifted to read earlier than 5 years either taught by parents or spontaneous learning (picture reading). It’s a bonus added to a parent’s life. It has a great impact on the child’s future life. Every child might possess different IQ levels. This doesn’t matter because the effort is regarded and the due result will follow. In order to instill reading habits, children must first learn the value of books and other materials helpful in teaching. Parents according to the level of the child can get interesting books starting from rhyme book, story book, GK, Quiz, puzzle and more. Online reading materials are also available now, so you can approach whichever is convenient. You need to dedicate some time to teach and sometimes learn on your own. This helps good instruction and in addition motivates self-learning. Nowadays there are many apps for learning especially committed to encourage kids in learning such life-skills. Discover more on developing reading skills and be the first one to see your child excel in life.

Learning never ends; it prevails at all ages. Self-reading skills can be encouraged from the age where kids start to read words through pictures or by sight (sight words). As they pick up early, language is not a big task. As they are exposed to many languages – language can be learned quickly well. A child needs to learn to accept gain and loss and how to deal with both aspects. When the child fails in an attempt, parents must focus on the positive factor as to how it can be improved by trying better next time. Parents need to be self-encouraged to try again without giving up easily for this builds their self-esteem, increases self-confidence, helps overcome fear, dare to explore more and realize self-worth.

‘It is easier to teach a child than to repair broken adults”- Frederick Douglas